In order to be successful in any sport, you have to put in the hours and the effort. Riding is no different. Students at Wild Child Farm are expected to do much more than show up for a weekly lesson. Students in our lesson program learn how to groom and tack up their horses, as well as the reasons we do things a certain way.
We teach using principles of dressage to develop an independent and effective seat from the beginning so that each rider can control and influence their horse quietly and kindly. These principles can then take the rider forward into more dressage work, or as the foundation work for Jumping or western disciplines.
We strive to make each student as well rounded as possible. In addition to riding our students:
Learn to Groom and inspect horses for injuries or changes
Learn to Tack and Untack their own horse
Develop an understanding for the use and correct fit of each piece of equipment
Demonstrate an understanding of safe handling and care of the horse
Develop Stable Management Skills
Learn basic first aid and the warning signs of serious illness.
Once Mounted, students skills are developed slowly to avoid bad habits and equitation faults that could later cause problems or be dangerous. In general, our lesson program progresses as follows:
Beginner riders learn to Tack up, mount, move forward, halt and steer, then untack
Riders move on to the lunge for several months of balance work at walk and trot
Once the rider has developed a strong seat, they are allowed to trot off the lunge
Walk/trot lessons learning various patterns and figures, ground poles and control.
Proceed on to canter work and cross rails
Finally riding in the open and increasing the challenge of all flat work and jumping.
We prefer to start riders with private lessons where we can firmly establish the basics. Although it isn't as exciting at first, work on the lunge and a cross training program for the rider will create an independent seat and an ability to use the aids effectively which will allow the rider to progress much more quickly and successfully in the long run!
